Travel

Dec 28 2017

33 Street Photography Photos from One Week in Bogota, Colombia

After Quito, Ecuador came city #42 Bogota, Colombia on the 100 City project. Bogota is the capital and largest city in Colombia, but not the sunny destination most visitors come to Colombia for. Up in the Andes Mountains you get a cooler climate and an urban metropolis with lots of edge. While not the safest city to explore on foot with your camera, Bogota has plenty of interest to discover if you’re bold. From its history to its vibrant culture to its edge, it makes for a big city with plenty to experience.

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Bogota…

Dec 19 2017

7 First Impressions of Bogota, Colombia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After photographing Quito, next up during my 100 City Project was an extended stay in Colombia starting in City #47 Bogota.

Bogota is the capital and largest city in Colombia. With all of Colombia’s sunny destinations, this big urban metropolis up in the Andes might not be a long stay for most, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t packed with gritty character and a lively urban atmosphere. It’s a little chilly here compared to the rest of Colombia, but it makes up for that in vibrance, culture and a coolness of its own. While it doesn’t always feel safe, it’s always filled with character and edge in this big, historic city.

So here are my first impressions of Bogota, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Dec 15 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Jerusalem

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Jerusalem

Nov 27 2017

7 First Impressions of Quito, Ecuador
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

For the first South American city during my 100 City Project, I started in City #46 Quito, Ecuador.

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and the first city to ever be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sitting up high in the Andes Mountains since 1535, you have a city full of history, culture and character surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of mountains. The Old Town is one of the more interesting and scenic old towns I’ve experienced anywhere. Quito has a mix of city and mountain not only in its scenery, but also its people and life, making it a good place for some photography.

So here are my first impressions of Quito, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Nov 13 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv

Oct 31 2017

7 First Impressions of Havana, Cuba
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

We’re coming up on another return to Havana, Cuba to teach a 7-day workshop, but last year it was City #43 during my 100 City Project. So, it’s time for my favorite city’s edition of first impressions.

For many photographers, Havana is a dream destination. Not many cities have been photographed like Havana, providing everyone a picture and feeling of the city even if you’ve never been. Havana more than deserves its reputation as one of the best cities around for photography, though. For me, it’s almost like if you created the perfect city for street photography in your mind, it would be Havana. It has it all going for it, but it’s also much more than the cliché you might see in many of the same photos of the city. It’s made for walking everywhere, and I do mean everywhere. So that’s what I did this trip, with just under a month devoted to this city on my last visit.

So here are my first impressions of Havana, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Oct 22 2017

Spots Available! Havana Street Photography Workshop (7 Days/Nov 19-25)

We’re a month away from my 7-Day Street photography workshop in Havana, Cuba and I still have spots available so sign-up now to reserve yours.

New Update!: I’m excited to announce that you will also have the option of sharing accommodation with the rest of the group, including your own private room. We will have a quality, fully equipped (A/C, hot water, kitchen, fridge, multi-room, balcony, etc) Colonial home in Centro Havana, near the water in the heart of the city. Hotels are not cheap so you’ll save money and hassle, while getting even more out your time during the workshop, and enjoying an authentic colonial home in Havana.

To reserve a spot in the Workshop, please submit through the form below (and continue reading for more info on the workshop):

(Direct email: forrest.d.walker@gmail.com)

Week Long Havana Street Photography Workshop

A week long street photography workshop in Havana, Cuba on November 19-25, 2017. The workshop will be led by myself, Forrest Walker (aka f.d. walker).

On this week long workshop, you’ll be able to capture many areas of Havana that others don’t, while challenging yourself to improve your street photography in a variety of ways. This will be an intensive and highly involved workshop led by someone who’s photographed over 60 major cities across the world inside and out. Still, Havana stays at the top of my list for street photography and I’ve spent countless hours exploring its endless streets of interest over the years. With a 4 participant max on the workshop, you’ll be able to get the most out of our time together, all week long in Havana, Cuba.

Forrest Walker is an award-winning photographer who has been exhibited and published around the world. He is also a member of The Street Collective and sole creator of ShooterFiles.com, where he is currently photographing over 100 major cities across all major regions for his website and future book.

Workshop Description:

Havana is no secret destination for photographers, but most don’t see all that it contains. On this workshop, we will include plenty of venturing outside of Havana Vieja too, so you can really capture the variety of what makes Havana so special.

Experiencing and capturing a variety of the city, as we will, is also designed to help maximize your improvement and learning in street photography. You will be challenged, while seeing more and having more opportunities to reach your goals during the workshop.

This will be an intensive, but highly enjoyable workshop experience that includes a mixture of daily photo walks, photo critiques, portfolio reviews, interactive lessons, activities and discussions. There will be a lot of walking and photography, with myself fully involved each step of the way to make sure you get the most out of your week. You will be able to fully immerse yourself into the city through street photography, so you can learn more, photograph more and have a great time experiencing Havana.

More Information:

The daily schedule is a minimum, but I will be available at all times during the week. We will have opportunity for more involvement, activities and learning outside of the scheduled time.
There will be extensive photo walks every day after Sunday. During the walks, we will cover a variety of instructions along with a mixture of group, paired and solo walking. You will have a chance to see how I work and learn from myself, while also having plenty of opportunity to shoot on your own. I will take you to many parts of the city to fully experience Havana and provide you more opportunity for unique photos.
Mixed in with the daily walks, we will also have time for daily presentations, instructions and photo critiques. Slideshows, group discussions, techniques and continual feedback will also be included.
The main focus of the workshop is street photography, with some crossover into documentary and travel. Candid and un-posed is the aesthetic I will be most looking for in course instructions and discussions, while you are free to take posed shots for personal enjoyment.
Before the workshop, we will have time to discuss your interests in photography, what you would like to get out of the workshop, along with a portfolio review. I can also help with arrangements on a place to stay, as I’d prefer for us all to stay together so you can get the most out of the workshop and experience (You are welcome to choose your own lodging, though. Preferably, around Centro Havana).
Workshop is limited to a small group of 4 to provide individual attention and a better, more valuable experience.

What’s Included?:

A variety of planned street photography walks providing a wide view of photo opportunities and exploration in the amazing city of Havana.
Opportunities for 1-on-1 shooting with myself to provide you constant feedback, tips, guidance, and allow you to observe how I work. I will also mix up activities and photography assignments to give you a chance to work on your photography without distraction.
An instructor that knows Havana and will show you a variety of the city that most visitors don’t see. My experience in photographing over 60 major cities on foot, while going deeper and off the beaten path, will give you an opportunity to get to know the city better and capture more unique shots.
Improvement in different techniques, understanding light, learning to see more and being comfortable capturing the shots you want to make.
Multiple educational and inspirational lessons covering different aspects of street photography.
An initial portfolio review followed by daily critiques of your photos taken during the workshop. I want you to follow your own interests and vision so I will be working with you to improve towards your personal goals in photography instead of boxing you in.
Constant access to myself, including outside of the workshop’s scheduled time.
Activities planned to give time for bonding with other photographers. A memorable experience not only improving your street photography, but also enjoying one of the world’s most amazing cities for street photography.
The workshop fee covers not only the time during the workshop schedule below, but also the time spent on workshop preparation with each individual, and any time needed outside of the daily schedule while in Havana.

* Not included in the workshop fee, but you will also have the strongly encouraged option of sharing accommodation with the rest of the group. We will have a quality, fully equipped (A/C, hot water, kitchen, fridge, multi-room, etc) colonial home in Centro Havana, near the water right in the heart of it all. Hotels are not cheap so you’ll save money and hassle, while getting even more out your time during the workshop, and enjoying an authentic colonial home in Havana.

Dates:

November 19th-25th, 2017 (Sunday-Saturday/7 days)

Location:

Havana, Cuba

Workshop Schedule:

Sunday-Saturday

9 AM- 6 PM (Sunday starts at 1pm)

Each day will include planned photo walks in many parts of Havana.
Each day will include photo critiques and discussions from the day.
Most days will include instruction time, which includes a mixture of lessons, slideshows and activities.
Spending time together outside the scheduled time is encouraged, but not mandatory. I will be available throughout the week.

Requirements: Basic skill in camera technique is required for this workshop. In addition to your camera, please bring a laptop. Extra camera batteries and good shoes/sandals are highly recommended, as well.

Fee: €750 EUR per person

*4 participant max

For questions or to reserve a spot in the Workshop, please submit through the form below:

(Direct email: forrest.d.walker@gmail.com)

*€250 deposit is required to register and hold a spot.

**Second payment of €250 is due by October 31st, with the final payment of €250 to be received 7 days prior to the start of the workshop.

Thanks for checking these details out and I hope some of you can join me this November. I’m really look forward to this workshop, nothing compares to Havana!

Some work from Havana:

From my series, Havana Colors…

shooterfiles.com and fdwalker.com

More work from outside of Havana:

Oct 17 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Odessa, Ukraine

Odessa

Oct 09 2017

33 Street Photography Photos from One Week in Brussels, Belgium

During my 100 City Project, I was brought to Brussels, Belgium for the Brussels Street Photography Festival so I decided to stay an extra week and add it to the photo project. It ended up being a city very different than first meets the eye in the charming, but touristy Grand Place center. For my personal taste, this was a good thing. Brussels has a unique mix of influences, including some edge. There’s historic charm, EU politics, hipster trendiness, multiculturalism, an edginess I enjoy, and its own special surreality all blended into one city.

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Brussels…

Oct 03 2017

7 First Impressions of Brussels, Belgium
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

The 2016 Brussels Street Photography Festival brought me to City #42 during my 100 City Project, which of course of was Brussels, Belgium. Since I was here for the festival, I decided to include Brussels in the project and spend an extra week outside of the festival to give it time.

While many of the other Western European capitals attract more attention and longer stays, Brussels’ beer, chocolate and Grand Place give plenty of tourists reason enough to make a stop here. If you give Brussels more time than Grand Place, though, you’ll find the city is a funny mix of a lot of influences. Historic charm, EU politics, hipster trendiness, edginess, multiculturalism, and its own special surreality all blended into one city. There’s a lot to Brussels that makes it stand out in Europe the more time you experience its different parts.

So here are my first impressions of Brussels, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…